Required and recommended safety courses.

[Watsy]

Hi all,
We are getting closer every year to joining the liveaboard world and have many questions but let's start with this...
We will take part in whatever certification is required to cruise ICW and "daytime offshore".(?? Proper term??)
Just don't know exactly what is required and what would be considered good recommended courses..
We are in Canada but will be heading south on our adventures..
Cheers!

 

[Comodave]

There are some states that have class requirements but generally they apply to residents and not transients. But to make sure you are covered I would take a course from something like the CG Auxiliary, or whatever is available where you live. Then carry the certificates with you.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Welcome aboard eh? There appear to be CPS (Canadian power and sail) locations in both Edmonton and Calgary. You seem to be half way between. https://www.cps-ecp.ca/


Highly recommend taking courses from CPS.


NO certification needed for the ICW or ocean, as such, but some states require a "Boating Safety Card". Those will probably a recognize Canadian card.

 

[Watsy]

"NO certification needed for the ICW or ocean, as such, but some states require a "Boating Safety Card". Those will probably a recognize Canadian card"

Thanks for the reply... Both RTF and Comodave.

We have our PCOC cards and if that's all that is "required" I have mixed feelings lol..
Shoot...so I can move up from my 18' Lund to a 38' Trawler and not look back?? Not me lol.

RT Firefly and Comodave,
Would you recommend a specific navigation course and any specific radio licences needed?
Thanks much!!

 

[Comodave]

As to classes, I am not familiar with Canadian classes. When we were teaching in the Auxiliary we taught ACN, Advanced Coastal Navigation, something like that may be helpful. But really there isn’t a requirement beyond a basic boating safety class. And that is not even in all the states.


I am not familiar with Canadian laws in regards to radio licenses. Here in the US you don’t need an FCC license for VHF unless you are traveling internationally. If you have AIS then you should have the FCC issued MMSI so it is enforced into international SAR data bases. Don’t know what Canada requires but if you have AIS or a PLB or EPIRB I would want them in the international data bases. Probably if you comply with Canadian laws you will be ok here on a temporary basis, but check with Canadian authorities.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. W. I'm about 35 years out of touch with CPS. Other than receiving training I couldn't suggest any specific courses. Best to check with your "local" branch(s) and find out what and when they're offering.


The "stuff" I learned 35 years ago STILL stand me in good stead when ever I'm aboard.


I would imagine USCG offers courses that you might consider if you're staying put some place.


As far as that 38' trawler and not looking back...I don't recommend that. Either look back, regularly, or install a rear view mirror(s).


There are a plethora of cruising guides and charts on the market that you can readily refer to and should be able to understand with training. Chart reading is being still taught by CPS (I hope).

 

[hmason]

OMG RTF, I thought you were a teenager.

 

[RT Firefly]

 

[hmason]

I knew it!

 

[soin2la]

Watsy, I second the CPS route, an entirely voluntary teaching process that has served tens of thousands of Canadian boaters.
https://www.cps-ecp.ca/ecommerce/co...RRrij1bsj6qj2O0VsPQoJUWSHpODDeZhoC90kQAvD_BwE

That link is worthy of a look as it gives you an idea of the depth of learning available.

In Canada everyone who operates a VHF radio must have an ROC (Restricted Operators Certificate). The Station (boat) no longer require a radio license. CPS is the administrator of all ROC licensing in Canada.

In the old days, you took the Basic Boaters course either by a 13 week, or 9 week accelerated course. Both covered the same material, just one, usually in the spring squeezed it a bit. From there you could move on to Seamanship Power or Sail, Advanced Pilot, Junior Navigator, Navigator, Marine Electronics, Marine Maintenance and Weather. Once a particular course was completed, you could also apply to teach that course.

Today follows much the same pattern of progression, but in both cases, most students only ever complete the basic courses. Here on the west coast those old basic classes has given many a boater the skill and confidence to cruise the waters between Seattle and Alaska for decades without incident.

I’d suggest you and any cruising partner take the course together. It can instil both pride and humility if your partner gets a better score.

 

[SteveK]

agreed, CPS courses for the theory. They are taught by volunteer boaters.
There was no practical when I went through the courses offered. That is sorely needed then and perhaps now.

 

[soin2la]

agreed, CPS courses for the theory. They are taught by volunteer boaters.
There was no practical when I went through the courses offered. That is sorely needed then and perhaps now.

Then you weren’t with the right squadron, because practical was an added function of the one’s engaged in teaching.

I taught CPS in the 80s and we had on the water sessions most weekends. To that though, many students didn’t have a boat, which took some of the fun out of it as they rode along with others and some students just didn’t have the extra time for it.

Along with bearings, fixes and plotting, anchoring, rafting, docking, backing down, driving dogs into booms, towing astern, or on the hip, hide and seek, was all part of the extra stuff we did and I have friends to this day that talk about it.

 

[SteveK]

you know you may be correct. I was a boater, had a boat when I took the courses, became a CPS member before I started 9 years of coast guard auxilary. Maybe I just did not notice the on the water training available.
Still a member, still do not see anything like it offered.

 

[DennisB1]

I would recommend getting a copy of the Navigation Rules and Regulations also called the COLREGS to study along with taking some of the Power Grid Squadron classes as recommended earlier.

 

[Northern Spy]

If you take the CPS course through the power squadron, you get a copy of the COLREGS, as it's a big part of the curriculum. You will get a Chart 1 and a plotting device too.

 

[Hippocampus]

For full time cruising from some form of teaching or self study it’s good to know

Rules of the road/colregs

Boat systems. At least a good diesel course but electrical, electronics and HVAC have been helpful as well.

Acute medical emergencies. A wilderness medicine course is helpful if you have no medical background.

Marine weather. Either a formal course or self taught.

Functionality don’t think it matters much how you get the skills but even if only coastal there will be times when you are truly alone and without access to outside help. More frequently when coastal you need a background of knowledge to know if the help you’re getting is of any value, being done correctly and charged reasonably. Think all cruisers develop checklists. Can’t do that without some degree of background knowledge. You also need to know what to do until help shows up. Basic things like fire, water ingress, injuries or illnesses. What weather report to trust and how to interpret them.

Think Safety at Sea is very worthwhile even if you don’t race. The Yachtmaster courses are very practical and give you a credential recognized worldwide. Crewing for others gives practical experience and exposure to different ways to think about and do the necessary tasks to successfully cruise.

On the internet there’s multiple tests you can take on the various skill sets of boating. Even if you’ve been doing it for decades believe is worthwhile to do them periodically. Allows you to brush up on what you’ve forgotten. For me for some reason I need to brush up on lights. Just can’t retain all the permutations so carry a slide stick or a card as well.

One of the good things about boating is there’s always more to learn and learning it makes it more fun. Can never rest on your laurels.

 

[Hippocampus]

Interesting statistics here

https://www.pbo.co.uk/news/man-over...om-recreational-boats-end-in-a-fatality-77954

Given recreational boaters are way over represented in MOB fatalities (and it’s cruising sized boats not the little ones) think it’s here we all need some teaching and actual practice. When I was a sailor was strict about pfd and using a harness ALWAYS if outside the interior of the boat. . Now mostly being in a pilot house have gotten lax. We cruise as mom and pop so it’s not uncommon to go outside on a break from helming or do a brief simple task.if one of us fell off the other might be unaware of it for awhile . Best way to prevent MOB deaths is to not fall off the damn boat. Have spoken with the admiral and we’ll remind each other to harness.

 

[PMF1984]

If you are in Canada and plan on doing the ICW you will traverse New Jersey. NJ requires a boating course certificate to operate in its waters. Any course approve by NASBLA will do. There are free courses and certifications on line, or if you don’t fit into one of the free ones, there are courses and certifications at a nominal fee.

 

[Watsy]

Howdy all...this is great info for us.
Thank you all for taking the time to share your knowledge.
We will explore the options and ensure we are fully certified up!!

Cheers all.!

 

[Bacchus]

I will assume that CPS courses parallel USPS now known as Americas Boating Club. The basis course is very basic but thats all that is reqd by various states that require boater ed.
While basic is a hood place to start, additional courses are recommended...
Boat haning / seamanship covers anchoring and some additional safety/ emergencies. Navigation / Advanced Nav covers GPS, charts, plotting courses, etc w advanced getting into tides & currents.
Many US locations are now doing some on the wayer training in adfition to the book learning.